Biography

Born Irl 1963

Róisín de Buitléar is a visual artist, an alumna of the National College of Art and Design NCAD Dublin Ireland. She has completed many site-specific installations of blown, cast and architectural work, drawing her inspiration from her cultural heritage. These can be seen in public and private buildings throughout Ireland, including the Blasket Island Centre Dunchaoin Kerry, National Botanical Gardens Dublin, W5 Science museum Belfast, Highfield hospital Dublin and Castle Espie Wetland Centre Strangford Lough Northern Ireland and Ballyroan Public Library Dublin.

After a working tour and exhibition in Japan in 1986 she joined the faculty of the National College of Art and design, and taught in the Glass department for two decades until 2006. She continues to be a dynamic mentor nationally and internationally and has taught in the UK, Japan, Canada, USA and France. Next summer sees her returning to teach at the renowned Pilchuck Glass School, USA, for the third time. As an invited speaker, she has lectured in Japan, USA, France Demark and Finland and writes regularly on glass, education and art practice.

Following a Crafts Council of Ireland bursary for excellence in her craft in 2009, and a residency at the Museum of Glass Tacoma Washington in 2010, she began working on CAUTION! Fragile, a collaborative exhibition with Irish glass masters, expanding on her experience of participatory and collaborative practice, currently showing in The Museum of Glass Tacoma USA. In 2011 the Irish Postal Service, featured her work “Catch a breath’ on a national Stamp in recognition of her achievements to commemorate The National Year of Craft. She represented Ireland in the European glass biennale in Denmark in 2012. Her artworks are represented in National collections in Ireland, Britain, Japan, China and USA. Róisín is the outgoing chairperson of the Golden Fleece advisory committee and the cofounder of the Glass Society of Ireland Contemporary makers.

CAUTION! Fragile, a major exhibition of glass sculpture at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington, will run until September 2014. This exhibition of engraved and cut glass is a collaboration between Róisín and three master glassmakers from Waterford Ireland. Her artworks are represented in public and private collections in Ireland, Britain, Japan, China and USA. Róisín is the outgoing chairperson of the Golden Fleece advisory committee and the cofounder of the Glass society of Ireland Contemporary makers.

Artist’s Statement

I have been fascinated by glass as much for its beauty as the challenge of working with it. I am continually inspired by the endless creative possibilities that glass offers. I make small-scale objects and large installations for public and private buildings. I work in layers, using the inherent beauty of the material to draw the viewer into the pieces through light, shadow and colour. At the core of the work are stories of my culture and these are told by using pattern, colour, form and the characteristics of the material. These stories are important to me to explain and share with others.

In my current work, I am investigating ideas of sound and glass, to create a visual and aural resonance of culture. Ideas of legacy, ornamentation, and characteristics of our narrative traditions are central to this work. Objects, performance and recordings are the projected outcomes.

Profile

BORN IN DUBLIN, Róisín de Buitléar is an artist and educator who has been working in the medium of glass as a primary material since 1983. She has completed many site-specific installations of blown and cast work, drawing her inspiration from her cultural heritage. These can be seen in public and private buildings throughout Ireland, including the Blasket Island Centre, Dunchaoin, Co. Kerry, National Botanical Gardens Dublin, W5 Belfast, Castle Espie Wetland Centre Strangford Lough Northern Ireland and Ballyroan public Library Dublin. She is an advocate for traditional Irish skills of glassmaking, curating, exhibiting and lecturing nationally and internationally.

News

2018 will be a very exciting year, opening with the inaugural Artist in Residence at the National Museum of Ireland being awarded to Róisín de Buitléar. In recognition of her contribution to the world of glass, education and art, the National Museum have invited Róisín to be resident at the museum from January 2018 for 12 months. […]

Róisín de Buitléar is the appointed Artist on a new project to develop a National Children’s Garden for Dublin City Council to commemorate the children who died in the 1916 Rising. The project has been commissioned by DCC parks and the appointment was made through the Dublin City Council Arts dept. Róisín working in collaboration […]

A conference exploring the expression of collective and national identities in Ireland, through the lens of design and craft. Taking place at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, this event is part of the 2016 centenary programme and a partnership project between the National Museum of Ireland and the Design & Crafts Council […]

Limerick Lace ¦ Liminal Identity From 24 October to 4 November 2016 in Limerick City Hybrid: the identity of liminal lace Lace and textile are the product of multiple cultural, social and political influences. Limerick lace is the perfect example of this cross-pollination that with time has become part of the identity of Limerick city. The […]

Macalla Echo Exhibition of Glass sound objects 5th April – 28th April Open Monday – Friday Sounding an echo is a magical moment, which is followed by marvel, curiosity and joy! Creating an echo requires particular science and a touch of alchemy, two essential ingredients also needed for glassmaking. MACALLA sound suspended in time, repeats. […]

Pilgrimage – a two year long commission for the Basilica of Knock has been completed. The two entrance corridors flank the new tobar or well feature in the central arrival area to the Basilica, recalling the collecting of people in early cletic times around a sacred site, or well with curative powers. The imagery creates […]

Hunt Museum in partnership with Limerick city Traveller Health Advocacy Programme, funded by the Limerick City and County Council. Thirteen Traveller women from Limerick city participated in a project based at the Hunt Museum with support from the Limerick city Traveller Health Advocacy Programme. The project was funded by the Limerick City and Council. Using […]

June 7th 2015 Fred Curtis, Róisín de Buitléar: Glass Cutting from Waterford The Glass City, Ireland Our workshop was held at Held at the San Jose State University and introduced by Mary White, this years recipient of the GAS lifetime achievement award. It was while on a Fulbright Scholarship in Ireland in 2009 that Mary […]

June 4th 2015 San Jose Dublin’s sister city hosted Fred Curtis and Róisín de Buitléar for a lecture on ‘Caution! FRAGILE, Tradition in Transition’ the Exhibition. The lecture, introduced by Berkley artist Mary White, was attended by the sister city members, and also members from Irish Network, and collectors of Irish glass. The hour long […]

Gravuur on tour continues its European tour now in the Netherlands – 27th August until September 12th at Aventurijn Glass gallery, http://www.aventurijnglasgalerie.nl ..31 artists from all over Europe.